Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone is shaping up to be a major redesign, according to months of leaks and reporting. The commemorative model, widely referred to as the iPhone 20, is not expected until September 2027, but sources say Apple is already deep into development and that the device could look like a single, uninterrupted slab of glass.
iPhone 20: Ten rumored changes
Quad-curved all-glass design: Multiple reports describe a display glass that curves away on all four sides, hiding the metal frame during normal use. Apple is reportedly working with Samsung to produce an equal-depth quad-curved display to achieve a seamless appearance.
Advanced OLED with COE: Apple is said to plan a brighter, thinner OLED panel using Samsung OLED displays with Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) technology. COE is reported to reduce overall display stack thickness, allow more light through to improve brightness, and lower power draw.
Under-display Face ID and camera: Apple is reportedly testing hardware that would eliminate the last visible front cutout by placing Face ID and the front camera under the display, though sources say it is uncertain whether the technology will be ready for a fall 2027 launch.
Solid-state haptic buttons: The company is said to be evaluating haptic replacements for the Side, Volume, Action, and Camera Control buttons. Those controls could be integrated into the frame with no physical movement while retaining tactile feedback.
Apple-designed modem in the United States: Apple is developing its own modems with the aim of surpassing Qualcomm in speed and AI capability. The C1 and C1X have already appeared in the iPhone 16e and iPhone Air, and the C2 on the iPhone 18 Pro may be limited to markets outside the United States. An Apple-designed modem is expected to appear in the 20th-anniversary iPhone, marking the first time a premium Apple device ships with an Apple modem in the U.S.
Custom stacked image sensor: Apple is reportedly developing a proprietary stacked image sensor to replace the Sony sensors it has used. Sources say a working prototype exists and that the sensor would use LOFIC technology, letting each pixel store varying amounts of light and potentially reach up to 20 stops of dynamic range.
A second-generation 2-nanometer A21 chip: The anniversary models are expected to feature a second-generation 2-nanometer chip. With the iPhone 18 lineup widely expected to debut the A20 chip, the anniversary models would likely be powered by the A21.
Silicon anode battery: Apple is reportedly exploring a battery that uses a silicon anode, which can store more lithium ions per gram and could deliver longer battery life without increasing battery size.
Mobile high-bandwidth memory: The company is rumored to be evaluating vertically stacked DRAM to improve memory bandwidth and boost on-device AI performance.
Two sizes mirroring current Pro models: The two anniversary models are expected to match the sizes of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with displays of approximately 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches respectively.
Why caution is warranted
These reports are still roughly 12 months ahead of the expected launch, and Apple often shifts plans behind closed doors. Ambitious features frequently slip by a year or more; under-display Face ID in particular has repeatedly been described as ‘two years away’ for several years. Taken together, however, the leaks describe the most dramatic iPhone redesign since 2017’s iPhone X. If even half of the reported features make it into the shipped device, the iPhone 20 would represent a significant update.
